In the last two months, I had a strange routine. Each time I went to my bank to collect some funds, I would give a certain percentage of it to one homeless or beggar that I would find on my way home. There were some really ugly sights, where I was really glad to give $10-$20 to help them feel better, but there were also idiots who looked at me strange when I offered them a lunch with me, and they would directly tell me that they need money, not food. But, regardless of that, I still think that there are many of those who just lost their goals and need somebody to push them forward.

I have helped several people online, but in most cases I had a feeling that I was scammed, so this time I would try to do this "offline", with people who I can see in person and whom I can help in a more appropriate way. Do I know how to do that? Well, I have an image of it in my head, but after I put it on paper I have several questions that need to be answered... That's the part where I need your help.

So, this morning I scouted my area and I saw around 20 people who I see each day, begging for money, looking as today is their last day on earth. Some of them don't have a leg or an arm, most of them don't have a proper place to stay and to eat. I have this plan:

THE PLAN
- get a separate office for them, with two big rooms, a bathroom and a kitchen.
- fill one room with computers which will be connected to the internet and have proper desks and chairs
- the second room would be with beds (those stacked one on another, at least 4 beds (12 sleeping places) can be placed in the current office which I target
- employ them legally for a minimum salary so that they get insurance, 8 of them would be employed as IM workers, 1 as a cleaner, 1 as a cook.
- offer them more work if they succeed and employ them for a proper salary

THE PROBLEMS
Well... what should they do? I guess that out of 10 of them only two will know english, some of them have one arm or one leg, which means that most of the methods are falling down the sink if the user does not know how to at least read or type...

I know that one can be a cook for the guys, an other can be a cleaner, but the rest has to work something to get their salaries. It's not a problem for me to cover the first few months until they start earning, but I want that they earn for themselves and grow their business with me. And that's where I need your help guys. I don't know what to give them for work? What IM method should they do?

So to sum it up:
- they probably don't know english
- they probably are not savvy with tech stuff
- some of them miss one arm or one leg
- it will be a hard task, but I have the money to do it, just need ideas

If we don't come up with a good idea connected to the IM market, I would also appreciate some ideas for Offline ventures for them?

Yeah, your computers would be gone in a f***ing millisecond along with the modems and everything that wasn't bolted down. I was a homeless drug addict for over a year and lived among other homeless people. I'll tell you right now that 80% (at least) of homeless people, are homeless because they rather get drunk/high than have a job and pay rent somewhere. This is the worst idea I've ever heard.

tsmash has a point, i see alot of young healthy homeless people who could easily get a job and get started in life, but most of them don't want that. If your really trying to help them. Get a group of 20 or so like you mentioned, and put them in some kind of rehab and open a homeless shelter of some kind. idk just some ideas. Good luck may god bless your venture!

High your intention is very noble.I'm always giving also some money to people who need food.Amount is increasing heavily.
However starting an office for them wont work cause most of homeless people already have a problem like being an alcoholic etc.
You would have daily fights in the office and your hardware would be sold very fast.

Myself i would rent some land outside of town and start building together food and a home (can be done for low money)
Its not only about getting independent but they get a new goal and responsibility.
What is also important is it need to be far away from drugs and alcohol so they can get clean.
Many will have bad attitudes like stealing...even they look very honest.

Its really difficult to get them back on road you will have to pick the willing one and to focus on them

I think what you're proposing is a great idea but to make it happen would not be easy. To begin with, as was mentioned above by tsmash, you are putting expensive equipment into an area where people that have been scrounging for change on the street can take it and walk away the first moment they're not being supervised. That's just the beginning...

As you mentioned you have the possibilities of language barriers. Do they all speak at least one language in common? (I expect they probably do - I see you're in EU according to your location - so I'm guessing that most of them speak the native language of the country you're in). If you wanted to use them for IM on a global or to an English market, at least whomever is doing that would need to have a decent understanding of English of course. You probably wouldn't get too much as far as 'content writers' unless you got lucky and found that one or more had a good deal of education in their background before they fell on hard times.

Honestly... I think the biggest problem you will likely find is motivation. It is absolutely possible for you to find one or more people that really are hard working, dedicated people that fell into a downward spiral and simply couldn't make it out - I've almost been there serveral times myself - BUT it is more likely that what you'll find are mostly self-destructive people and that no matter how much you give, they'd find a way to screw it up. What many of them need mostly is 1) counseling and 2) rehab to restore any possibility of 'normal life'.

I REALLY love that a fellow BHer is looking to make this kind of impact on his local area - but you might want to check into some charities that do similar to what you're suggesting and maybe help them out. Trying to create a team of professionals from a group of homeless people would be an amazing project - and if you do actually have the funds to make something like this happen (You'd need at least 1-2 full time people to work with them/teach them and honestly, supervise them to make sure that some of them don't rob the equipment) - and it actually worked, make sure it's documented along with LOTS of video - cause I could see you selling it to a TV station as a great movie! But you'd have to have some really deep pockets for that...

Good luck no matter where this goes Brother... and thank you from one frustrated philanthropist to another.

An awesome idea my friend. It is really good that you are trying to bring a change to your surroundings. But as said above a lot of them are drug addicts, so a better way would be to filter them for screening of their abilities.

An easy way is to invite them for food and not money. Offer able bodied persons work in exchange for food, but never money.
If they accept it, there is a 80% chance they are not addicted or trying to leave drugs. They would be more productive and easier to handle. So this was my idea for initial screening.

Then you need to train them, but before that I would like to know how the first phase goes. I have a few ideas that I can contribute to. Let me know how it goes.

Honestly, what do you know about the OP? You have no idea about the resources available or the drive they may possess.

You have a closed and narrow mindset about what can be achieved. Sometimes you need to have big ideas to make change.

It is so easy to sit there and dismiss others, when in reality they are the ones who should be applauded not shunned.

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I'm not dimissing him. I admire his noble intentions as I stated, and you seem to have omitted. But I'm not going to lie and tell him that I think it's a good idea. I am entitled to an opinion my friend.

Please in future if you're going to quote someone, make sure you include the entire post. It's intentionally misleading otherwise.

I'd like to add that I think the concept of helping others is fantastic, it's the teaching them IM that I'm not keen on because I think it'd be an alien concept to most. That and the obvious risks of being taken for a ride. The only way I could see it be feesable is if he paid them in food at first...

Also, if you actually did go ahead with this with substantial proof, I'd donate $1000 no questions asked. I'm sure many other BHW members would too.

it really is a noble intention - and i stick to the members saying that everything is achievable...
...even if the OP will face some more or less serious problems.

i guess it will not be the biggest problem to find some of them that are actually willing to work and learn - because in the downwards spiral such people are stuck in, they do not get a chance to somehow work and feel proud of having a achieved something and are valuable in some way. even if many of them are into alcohol and other drugs - not all of them are. it`s a streotype. you would wonder what kind of people are homeless these days.
offering help in the way the OP thinks about, should include the fact that if they are not willing to do something but only want to snatch a place to sleep - they cannot be part of the project anymore and have to leave.

this way you will soon figure out the one`s that do want to make a change.
and if they do well - and actually they can earn something maybe there`s a way to give them the ability to get them working somewhere with the new skills they can learn later on. OP should try to find other projects that work in that field to see if there are possible ways to JV with them. at least to get insights on the downs of such project.

but if you want them to have a place to sleep you will need people observing what is going on there all of the time, a solution for them to store their stuff safely because they tend to rob each other. therefore other institutions should be taken into this - at least to gain info on their experience with homeless people and giving them a place to sleep. just to see what they do point out about the problems faced.
maybe the city he lives in would be willing to fund the project if it turns to be a good thing. or other projects want to help out or work together.

OP will definitely not get this done on his own - but there are multiple ways to work out how this can be done as there are a lot of institutions that deal with such persons. they will be a big help in how to set it up.
if lucky they have staff that can help observing the inventory at times when they should work - cause i think he cannot spend all of his time with them.

all in all i really like the thought and it`s honorable that people really think abot making a change for the weak one`s in our socthere and to be taken into coniety.
it`s hard to achieve but if you don`t try you will never get somewhere - we all know this.
but with the help of other institutions, working together, making it public to maybe raise funds to keep it working, get people or companies into funding food maybe, talking to rehab-institutions, get companies into it that may be willing to let people with basic data-entry knowledge or better giving them a chance and all of the available options that are to be taken into consideration - it could grow to a working project.
if people really participate and to well - they could be employed to work in it as a member that comes from where the pain is and maybe get others from the street as they know the game. etc.etc.etc.

if it really is something you honestly wish to do from the heart - plan it well, get all the help you can get and then go for it.

hope to hear if it`s going to happen and how things develop if started out.

I'll tell you right now that 80% (at least) of homeless people, are homeless because they rather get drunk/high than have a job and pay rent somewhere. This is the worst idea I've ever heard.

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Although you have a point, some people don't want help, the just want to roll in their shit till they die, but I still have an urge to do this. Maybe it's the worst idea which you ever heard, maybe not.

And let's not start with how much a setup like that would cost, and how it could leave you broke. You're selling articles so you're not a multi-millionaire.

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I don't like to brag about my business, but don't underestimate me Some of the guys here know that I have several sources of income, and also one big IT company behind me regarding the equipment. I calculated and the worst thing which could happen is that I lose around $10 000 for the whole project if it fails. You could easily lose that money in some IM projects, some of you who played with CPA know that probably.

Again, guys, I really appreciate the feedback, but I still did not get any proper ideas...

Maybe have two separate places? One for sleeping/eating and one for work? The one for working would be under surveillance or something like that?

What should I do with them?
Create authority sites for each of them and put adsense on them? They could contribute with posting the articles and making some backlinking.
Captcha solving?
Any other data entry thing? Maybe train them for a few weeks, give them to someone for free until they catch the drift and then rent them out as data entry VA's?

Come on, I know that some of you are lurking and want to participate, I don't need money, I need ideas on what to do with them...

I have more then enough stuff to help me this, around 15 workers which are employed full time for me and which can help me regardless of the intention.

I actually think it is great idea and applaud you for it. While we get satisfaction of feeding somebody today it is much better to provide them the opportunity to feed themselves for years to come. This project will not be easy but the rewards once achieved will be well worth it. Sadly, I myself was never able to realize this myself as I was stuck on the same issue as you. I do sponsor children, donate when and how I can but really would like to fully turn people's life around, as long they want, need and deserve it.

You will have to be able to judge people. Interview them first without any prospect of "possible reward" for them so that they speak honestly and not "pretend" for a job interview. Spark a regular friendly conversation with them. If you feel that person is really deserving and fit offer them a way out.

You will have to be able to judge people. Interview them first without any prospect of "possible reward" for them so that they speak honestly and not "pretend" for a job interview. Spark a regular friendly conversation with them. If you feel that person is really deserving and fit offer them a way out.

You would be playing with their lifes, hopes and dreams so do not use them to "test" methods. You might simply start interviewing few ppl and see their background, skills. Possibly you may get business ideas from the interviews. You may have to do as little as asking "what are you good at"

Few things to consider:
- They will need a routine, regiment and structure, so separate work/living quarters might not be bad idea.
- Offer a "partnership" , a shared ownership in the company or at least performance incentives
- Offer creative time, ask their input
- Check with local institutions
- Mingle with local businesses
- Create a staffing /human resource agancy

I feel its hard to give creative idea on the tasks without knowing the job first. Its almost as hard to answer as a nood saying "I want to make money on the internet". If you are offering local internet marketing, website creation etc than you can easily asign "tasks" / jobs to them.

What i think you should do first before going head deep:
Find out a few homeless shelters in your area.
Take some time and go visit them and find out when the next time they will be providing food for the homeless. Like a big gathering.
Go their and tell them that you are looking for a few good workers who know english and can type. Tell them that this project is starting in a month or two and you are just collecting information on potential employees. Going to a few of these you WILL find NORMAL people who just had back luck in the past few years or just plain old back luck most their lives, but are still capable to do the same things me and you can. Write down everyone who you think would be a fit and figure out a way to contact them in a few weeks. They will be able to tell you where they hang out, if they come to this shelter weekly......

From their you will have a list of 10+ potential people who can actually make you money and can read/write english and have both hands...

Great ideas guys. A short interview with them is smart, opening a separate company and giving them a share in it would also be a good idea, then they would have a feeling that they are working for themselves, not for me.

Ok, I will try to find 10 guys/gals in the next few days, offer them a lunch with me and speak a little with them, make notes and see with what I can come up with. Will update the thread once I get more info

I dunno tho, from your OP it seems as tho you want to help the REAL NEEDY the REALLY homeless bunch. The one's that don't want to to jackshit but drink and shoot up.
Like i said i dunno, its hard to judge a homeless person cause we have no idea wtf really happened. Their is a homeless person i know around the area and he's a GREAT guy, really friendly and everything. But to give him a job will mean 24/7 security around him.
It's going to be hard as shit.
Also some of these poeple have complete mental issues and can spaz out in seconds. If they are employees by you and end up fucking each other up, guess who gets sued? YOU!
There is a lot to think about here man. A lot

i would highly recommend you to seperate the working area and the sleeping area...
...as for the purpose that they need to begin to have a routine again. then connect these places. and both places have to be under surveilance.

they have to get used to have a place to sleep and a place to work.
the best thing would be if they do not have to share a sleeping place with 10 other people. that places are pretty difficult and more often a mess later on.
as i said - speak to organisations that work in that field.
if you see a chance to set such place up - create like 10 (or whatever number is achieveable) spaces that one individual can use for himself. that would be the best help for them in first place.
that place is then of course connected with a working space. if they do not participate really they have to leave again.

then see if they have some common knowledge using computers and the net.
teach em basic things if they need to have them - and then see what they can do.
but i really wouldn`t stick too much to IM really. that may not be everyone`s choice. and it may not be recommended to focus on making them all marketers.
you would have to find out seperately for each person you want to give a chance.

set-up tasks they can do that bring in cash you can pay em with - but if someone was a.e. a carpenter he may want to get back into it. so he can participate, earn some money and the right to have a space on his own and then maybe find back into his old job. then you would have really helped them.
if some find out the like it - let em go more advanced. but that has to be looked up seperately for each individual.

if theres people having an addiction - connect the right to participate with a rehab-organization.
you will need help in this and should stick to the experienced ones.
create a microcosmos that will bring em back on to their feet - so they can work out their own way into the real world again.

i think you get the picture...
...may i ask where in europe you are located?

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